Del Mar Designs - Lighting Rating

There are many elements that come together in the process of creating light fixtures, and each one of these elements has a different level of quality from different manufacturers. At Del Mar Designs, we have a lighting review system based on the level of quality that the manufacturer puts into each element for each light fixture.

We then average the elements for an overall light fixture rating: from 1 star being the lowest overall quality, to 5 stars being the highest overall quality light fixture we carry.

The list of elements used to determine the overall value of a light fixture are:

Materials Used

Manufacturers like Kichler Lighting use a variety of different materials to create a light fixture. Some materials are valued higher than others; these higher value materials create a longer lasting, more precious and more durable lighting fixture than the average.

The most common materials and the values we give each are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Workmanship

The workmanship or craftsmanship may determine the overall life of a light fixture. There are many different methods that manufacturers like Minka Lavery use to create a light fixture. We have identified the most commonly used methods and rated them based on the value produced in the overall finished light fixture quality.

Above: Artisans at work at the Fine Art Lamps facility in Miami, Florida.

The most common methods of Workmanship and their ratings are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

+ Handcrafted by skilled artisans in the United States

+ Shaped with a hammer and anvil

+ Hand-forged wrought iron lighting

+ Hand-crafted

+ Intricate Metalworking

+ Hand-forged iron

+ Hand Blown Glass

+ Carved Castings

+ Hand finished

+ Hand-tailored shades

Things that decrease a light rating:

- Stamped Casts

Finish Quality

The finish quality of a light fixture is a necessary element when determining the overall value of the light fixture. There are many different quality levels to consider when rating the value of the overall finish. A good way to determine this is looking at a fixture type like brass outdoor lighting and see how the finish lasts over time in the elements.

The most common methods of applying a finish to a light fixture are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Light Output Technology

Some manufacturers use cutting edge light technology to create an overall light experience from their light fixture. There are many different types of light output technologies used in the lighting industry today. We have defined a few that add overall value to the light fixture.

The most common value added light output technologies are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

+ Light Emitting Diode (LED)

+ Fixtures with Dimming Ballasts

+ Indirect Lighting

+ Shadowing Light Design

+ Compact Fluorescent

+ Low Voltage Halogen

+ Standard Incandescent

Product Design

Product Design is another important factor in the overall value of a light fixture. Many manufacturers hire accredited product designers and engineers to design their lighting fixtures, these manufacturers are the manufacturers that usually produce original product designs. It takes accredited designers to identify trends in an ever changing industry and well designed products to support that change.

Above: A fixture of the Belgrave Square Collection from Fine Art Lighting being assembled.

The most common design related values are: (Start with 3 Stars)

Things that increase a light rating:

+ Good Design Award Recipient - This award is given out by the Ministry of International Trade and Industry, starting in 1957

+ Light Fair Awards - A variety of awards are gave out at this International Lighting Show

+ Original Design - Some lighting designs have become so successful that they are copied by other lighting manufacturers